In 2018, 6% of Texans reported heavy levels of drinking (15 or more drinks per week), and 17% reported binge drinking (5 or more drinks in one occasion). When high levels of alcohol are consumed, the body will start to detox from the alcohol as soon as 6 hours after the last drink. Detoxing and withdrawal go hand in hand and can end up being an unpleasant experience.

Here at SUN Behavioral Health Houston, we offer services for those looking to detox from alcohol. Our trained and licensed staff can help assist you or your loved ones on the road to recovery. We offer medications to help with withdrawal in combination with therapy and other treatment-based, skill-building activities to help you reach your goals.

What is Alcohol Detox?

Alcohol detox is the process of removing alcohol from the body after long-term or heavy consumption. The body has a very intelligent system for removing different toxins and substances when needed, and it starts the process within a few hours of the last drink you consume.

Detoxing from alcohol lasts an average of 72 hours. This time can be impacted based on things like metabolism, age, and your history of alcohol consumption and other substances. Withdrawal starts in conjunction with detox, but it lasts much longer, up to a few weeks after the last drink is consumed.

Here are just some of the reasons why it’s not safe for a person to detox at home:

If you have a history of seizures, you could experience complications
Not having a medical professional around to help with potential side effects can be dangerous
If you have a history of depression or suicidal ideation, those things could be magnified during detox
If you’ve detoxed from alcohol in the past, this can alter how the body detoxes an additional time, leaving you more vulnerable for potential complications

If you have any of these concerns or histories, you should bring them up with a medical professional before you detox.

Why is Alcohol Detoxification Important?

Detox is a great first step to recovery. If you’re still actively drinking, it’s not possible to recover from AUD.

Detoxing helps the body readjust to not having alcohol in the system. When alcohol is consumed on a regular basis, the brain and other organs become used to it. When alcohol is taken away, it can take time for the body to recover, but this process is very important to healing and long-term recovery from substance abuse.

treatment for co-occurring disorders in Houston

Symptoms of Alcohol Detox

Not everyone who detoxes from alcohol does so intentionally. Since the detox process can begin as quickly as 6 hours after your last drink is consumed, someone might start going through withdrawal and detox without realizing it.

In some instances, this can lead to severe side effects which require medical attention. Here are some of the things you might experience during detox:

Body tremors
Dilated pupils
Headaches
Restlessness
Tachycardia (a fast heart rate)
Anxiety
Sweating
Clammy skin
Nausea and vomiting
Hallucinations
Seizures

While seizures can occur within the first 24hours of withdrawal, these are sometimes a sign of a condition known as delirium tremens, which is not an uncommon side effect for those who had a history of long-term alcohol consumption.

Delirium tremens can be severe. If your loved one is experiencing confusion, hypertension, seizures, or hallucinations while detoxing - seek help immediately.

Testimonials

				I just wanna give a BIG THANK YOU to Mrs. Lizette and also Mrs.Becky for taking care of my wife and letting our service pup 🐶 stay with her! This is a wonderful place if you are needing help! They even helped when I was emotional about not being able to be with my Beautiful Wife! Any problem was fixed also!							
Heather E.
				Sun Behavioral really helped me a lot. The staff was genuine and very helpful. They also where very respectful to boundaries. I was there a couple years back, and honestly i was very  happy and have been happy since. I recommend this place to anyone that needs/wants help. Very safe and warming. Its almost like a second home that is making you better and better, nit just by the treatment but the relationships you make with the staff and other people							
Mya H.
				The doctors and auxiliary staff at Sun Behavioral Houston really care about the patients. The women's unit had meaningful group therapy sessions in which everyone had a chance to share. I would definitely recommend Sun for someone needing psychiatric care. The food could be better but they are cooking for kids as well as adults.							
Alisha Y.
				I've been to many mental health hospitals and I was taken to Sun. Omg they are the most caring and don't worry about how long your insurance will allow.. nope they don't care if u need more time that's all that matters to them. Told me if I didn't feel comfortable after I was released to come rite back... Guess what 3 weeks later I went back... Thank u so much and if I need help again IAM only going to Sun...							
Laura A.
				I was an inpatient here to help me cope with the loss of my granddaughters. The staff was patient,kind and giving of themselves and their time. Even when a patient got unruly and violent, the staff would treat them with respect and kindness. It's never easy to go through times like these, but if you have a place like this, you can gain your perspective back and get back into life. THANK YOU SUN							
Michele R.
				A friend of mine was at your facility recently and she told me it was a great experience for her....she said the therapist was understanding and attentive and couldn't have asked for more from the staff....If anyone is ever in need of a facility such as yours we will both gladly recommend Sun Behavioral..Thank you so much for helping my good friend.							
Peggy R.
				I am an electroconvulsive therapy patient of Dr. Barber. The ECT staff is excellent. They feel like a family to me. They always make sure my needs are met. The facilities are nice and clean. The nurses and MHTs are excellent. Dr Barber is excellent. I would recommend Sun for ECT.							
Morgan K.
				Although it is not ideal to utilize a facility like this, they made the transition seamless. The doctors and staff we’re knowledgeable and kind. I was always aware of what was going on and I felt confident with their abilities. Awesome place to visit for your needs.							
Ken T.
				I am an ex employee and I felt like it was a great learning experience. The staff was like family to me .Since leaving ther I haven't connected with employees like that . You guys keep up the good work keep loving on every one like you do. This is not an easy job but we make it easy because we do what we do from our heart.  This is Raquel Malveaux you guys rock .							
Raquel R.
				This establishment was great to our family while my sister was there. The site was very clean no matter what time of day, staff was amazing and very informative they answered all of our questions called with any updates and followed up when she was discharged. Hands down the best facility we've been to yet! I would recommend to anyone in need of their services!!!							
Kristi E.
				I have been inpatient here five times for substance abuse. I was last here 11-20-2005. The doctors & all supporting staff is very caring, compassionate, & knowledgeable about my substance abuse & mental issues. I owe much of my 13 years of continued sobriety & mental stability to Sun Behavioral & Dr. Parikh.							
Tiersa L.
				I would give 10 stars if I could. This place has helped me 100 times more than the other 3 hospitals I've stayed in. The staff wants the patients to be successful and have a normal life! Thank you Sun!!							
Ashleigh H.
				Our daughter was taken to Sun Behavioral Houston one week ago and my husband and I are so pleased with the treatment she was given during her stay. She came home with a positive attitude and  trying harder than we have seen her try in years. Thank you and your staff from the bottom of my heart. God is good.							
nikki d.
				Great experience! Just left this facility and spent a week inpatient... The staff was amazing, the Dr was great and caring... By far the best mental health facility in Houston! Definitely will be recommending this facility to others! From intake to discharge things went smoothly! Thank you Sun Behavioral for giving me my life back!							
Heather S.
				We had a very good experience with a family member. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, even under stressful conditions in the facility. It can be chaotic in the lobby, but that is no different than an ER and situations were quickly and quietly diffused.							
B B.
				The staff and doctors were kind, caring, and compassionate. No smoking facility but the MD will give you nicotine patches. Best hospital experience in years. I was there 9 days and when I walked out I was not nearly the person I was when I walked in. Can't say enough good things about the experience.							
Julia W.
				I had the chance to work with the management team here on a professional level and I was very impressed. The team was extremely professional, clinically sound, and extremely caring. I personally would not hesitate to send one of my loved ones here.							
Dave F.

What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal?

Withdrawal is caused by an absence of a substance that the body has grown accustomed to or is dependent on. Alcohol alters the brain’s communication pathways over time. The brain and body adjust to this “new normal.”. When the substance is removed, a variety of withdrawal symptoms often occur as the body reacts.

Luckily, there are many medications that can be used to help those that are experiencing alcohol withdrawal. These medications help manage the side effects during the withdrawal period.

The Alcohol Detox Timeline

The process of detoxing from alcohol starts as soon as you finish your last drink. While this time frame can vary from person to person depending on many factors, here is an average timeline you will see during the detox and withdrawal process.

Six hours after you have your last drink, the body will start to begin detoxing from alcohol on its own. Withdrawal symptoms can occur anytime after the alcohol detoxification process has started.
The worst withdrawal symptoms tend to pop up during the first 24 - 48 hours. These include symptoms such as seizures or hallucinations.
The detox and withdrawal process will peak within the first three days. The process of detoxing only lasts a few days, but withdrawal and its side effects can last up to a few weeks.

The body’s healing process when recovering from long-term AUD can be much longer than a few weeks. Organs such as the liver, pancreas, and even your mouth will slowly start to recover the longer it’s been since your detoxification has finished. Some people experience weight loss and even find that their skin appears to be healthier over time. Stopping alcohol consumption can also lower your risks of various forms of cancer, such as oral or liver.

Alcohol Detox at SUN Houston

Our goal at SUN Behavioral Health is to ensure that our community thrives. We strive to help educate and support our patients and their families during the rehab journey. We know that everyone’s road to recovery is different, which is why we offer different services to give our patients options.

713-796-2273

Detoxing is the first step to recovery. Afterward, you and the medical professionals working with you will determine what level of care will best suit you on your continued journey. Our two primary services are inpatient and outpatient.

With inpatient treatment, you’d stay at our facility 24/7. This is a safe environment where you’ll be surrounded by medical professionals whose goal is to ensure your comfort and safety. You’ll also get the opportunity to recover alongside people who are going through the same thing as you. During the stay, both individual and group therapy sessions are held in order to help you learn new skills and unlearn old habits.

Outpatient treatment is when you’d only come into the facility a few times a week, but you’d stay at home and continue working or going to school. We also feel it’s important to address co-occurring disorders when treating those with AUD. Co-occurring disorders are when someone has both a substance use disorder (in this case AUD) and a mental illness. Many times, the two can impact each other and we feel it’s important to address both during treatment in order to best help our patients have a successful outcome.

FAQs About Alcohol Detoxing

How does the body heal when you stop drinking?

The body works to heal many things after you stop drinking, such as rebuilding your immune system, working to repair your liver, and altering your brain to adjust to not having alcohol in your system anymore. Some people also notice changes such as weight loss, increased energy, and better-looking skin.

How long does it take for the body to recover from alcoholism?

While the detox process finishes after only a few days, recovery from alcoholism can vary from person to person. Withdrawal symptoms typically last a few weeks, but it takes longer than that to relearn certain behaviors and for organs to heal.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS)?

AWS is the collection of side effects during the withdrawal from alcohol. This primarily occurs in those who have a history of long-term alcohol use. Some of the more serious side effects of AWS include hallucinations, delirium tremens, and seizures.

Alcohol Detox in Houston

The capable team at SUN Houston has been serving our community for years. Reach out to begin your journey to recovery.

713-796-2273

Alcohol Detox

What is Alcohol Detox?

Why is Alcohol Detoxification Important?

Symptoms of Alcohol Detox

Testimonials

What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal?

The Alcohol Detox Timeline

Alcohol Detox at SUN Houston

FAQs About Alcohol Detoxing

Alcohol Detox in Houston

SUN Behavioral Houston

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